I am seeing some news about the water contamination in the portal https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD555445.

Does this mean the water availability along the trail is contaminated as well? if so., is the filter and water purification tablets enough to purify and that water can be used. I am wondering whether we will end up in carrying water for the entire 22 miles.

Input on this is appreciated.

Thanks

Water filters are sold JUST for this situation.

There is no point to filtering uncontaminated water -- you're not doing anything to improve it. So now that they have found a little contamination, it is now a valid time to filter it.

Filter it and drink it!

I have the UV stick pen as opposed to a filter. Thoughts?

The contamination was found ONLY at the developed spring that feeds the installed water system at Whitney Portal, not in either Lone Pine Creek or North Fork Lone Pine Creek, which are not sources for that system or connected to it. The contaminated water system is shut down. No change has been noted to either of the creeks. YOu have to decide for yourself, but I have never and would not bother filtering or treating water from either creek.

Only if the water you are trying to purify is not muddy or cloudy.

Saltydog wrote:
No change has been noted to either of the creeks. YOu have to decide for yourself, but I have never and would not bother filtering or treating water from either creek.

It should be noted, though, that Inyo County does not test any stream water. It is only the water within the piped water system that is ever tested.